Development and creation of group work for juvenile perpetrators of domestic violence

Nasilje djece i mladih u krugu obitelji i nad roditeljima predstavlja rastući fenomen u društvu, točnije istraživanja pokazuju da je unazad nekoliko godina nasilje nad roditeljima poraslo za 40% (Fernandez, 2017; prema Erostarbe, Martinez i Astondoa, 2018) te da je u prosjeku 20% adolescenata nasilno prema roditeljima (CPV - Practical guide, 2019). Etiološki razlozi za porast ovog ponašanja su: primjena permisivnog odgojnog stila, izloženost djeteta nasilju i traumatskim iskustvima, raširenost nasilja u medijima, ponašanja specifična za adolescentsku dob (vršnjački utjecaj, zlouporaba alkohola i droga) i sl. (CPV – Practical guide, 2019). U Hrvatskoj, Zloković (2009) također upozorava na pojavnost velike tamne brojke prijava nasilja djece nad roditeljima. Nasilje nad roditeljima zahtijeva senzibiliziranje javnosti, primjenu preventivnih intervencija te odabir odgovarajućeg tretmanskog programa. Kako se radi o maloljetnim počiniteljima kaznenog djela nasilja u obitelji, jedna od mogućih odgojnih mjera jest posebna obveza uključivanja u individualni ili grupni psihosocijalni tretman. Grupni rad je metoda rada čiji je cilj pomoći pojedincu da u sklopu grupnog iskustva, unaprijedi svoje psihosocijalno funkcioniranje da bi djelotvornije riješio osobne i socijalne probleme te razvio vještine i znanja važne za bolje razumijevanje sebe, drugih ljudi i zajednice u kojoj živi (Žižak i sur., 2011). Adolescentima je bitan vršnjački kontekst i grupni feedback, stoga grupni program služi kao prigodan okvir za razvoj pojedinca, ali i grupe u cjelini. Temeljni cilj ovog rada je kreirati grupni program rada s mladima koji su (bili) nasilni u obiteljskom kontekstu. Izrada programa rada temeljit će se na dva glavna principa: prikazu postojećih programa grupnog rada te procjeni potreba i analizi stanja u Hrvatskoj - prateći preporuke stručnjaka koji rade s maloljetnim počiniteljima nasilja u obitelji (informacije prikupljene putem polustrukturiranog intervjua). Pri razradi, pratit će se prijedlog planiranja grupnog programa autorice Ajduković (1997): utvrđivanje potreba, definiranje svrhe i ciljeva, utvrđivanje organizacijskog okruženja, odabir pristupa rada, identificiranje potencijalnih članova, inicijalni kontakt s članovima, sastavljanje grupe, motiviranje, priprema okoline i utvrđivanje načina evaluacije. Vrijednost izrade programa za maloljetne počinitelje obiteljskog nasilja očituje se u rastućem broju nasilnih incidenata te nedostatku tretmanskih, specijaliziranih programa u hrvatskom kontekstu.Child to parent violence has become a concerning issue in the society, studies show that in the past few years violence towards parents has increased by 40% (Fernandez, 2017; according to Erostarbe, Martinez and Astondoa, 2018). On average 20% of adolescents are violent to their parents (CPV - A practical guide, 2019). The etiological reasons for such behavior are: permissive parenting style, child’s exposure to previous violence and trauma, exposure to media violence and adolescent behaviors (peer pressure, alcohol and drug abuse) (CPV - A practical guide, 2019). In Croatia, Zloković (2009) reports and warns of a dramatic, large number of reports of adolescent to parent violence. Violence against parents requires public awareness and reaction in terms of the implementation of preventive interventions and the selection of an effective treatment program. Considering that offenders of this form of domestic abuse are minors, one of the possible criminal justice system sentences is an obligatory participation in an individual or group psychosocial treatment program. Group work refers to a method of work that includes working with several individuals, helping them change or deal with a long-lasting problem they are encountering, guided by a therapist or counselor. In a group setting, people learn to solve personal and group problems and develop important skills and knowledge to function better and understand others and the community they live in (Žižak et al., 2011). Adolescents are susceptible to peer pressure and they value feedback from others, meaning a group treatment program serves as a suitable environment. The aim of this paper is to create a group program for the young population that is (or has been) violent in their family homes. The structure of the paper is based on two main principles: review and presentation of existing group work programs and assessment and analysis of the situation in Croatia (regarding child to parent violence). In order to get insight and to gather information, semi structured interviews will be held with experts and professionals working with troubled youth. Development of the program will follow Adjuković’s group program planning method (1987): identification of needs, definition of purpose and goals, organizational environment, work approach, selection of potential participants, initial contact with the participants, group formation and the evaluation of the program. The value and importance of creating a program for children violent to parents is reflected in the growing number of violent incidents and the absence of such specialized programs in Croatia